124 on Queen: The draw
Although quaint, some of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s properties are a little dated, but 124 on Queen offers a beautiful intersection of old and new that maintains the area’s historic charm while bringing a youthfulness in the form of a fresh space with modern design. The 1825 façade is nestled at one end of the main strip, a short walk from the riverfront.
Step inside and be treated to contemporary, comfortable luxury. Rich blue and white marble accentuate the space, which is outfitted with furniture sourced from Toronto and local art pieces.
The whole property is licensed, which means you can grab a glass of VQA wine, from a list that well represents the area as well as regions abroad, and take it right to your room.
124 on Queen: The rooms
There are eight different buildings on the property, including The Gate House event space and Treadwell, the onsite restaurant. The 80 rooms are spread among the different buildings, making each one feel like its own little boutique hotel or cozy cottage.
From standard 350-square-foot rooms to spacious 1500-square-foot suites, the accommodation options abound. Book a three-bedroom suite with girlfriends or a romantic haven with a cozy fireplace. Every room comes with a Nespresso maker with Nunshen pods and a cocktail shaker, and some come with full kitchens or kitchenettes.
They’re all cozy, comfortable, and make for a perfect weekend getaway. Checking into 124 on Queen feels like coming home, if you’re very well-off and your home was decorated by an interior designer.
124 on Queen: What’s on the menu
Treadwell’s farm-to-table cuisine is a true delight, and is available in the restaurant as well as in the spa (squee!) and will be available for room service in the near future. Good thing too, because once you taste one dish, you’re going to want to try another and another — everything on the menu sounds so delicious, and it is.
The prix-fixe dinner menu lets you choose between appetizers like delicate smoked salmon or roasted heirloom beets. Watch from the chef’s counter as the cooks whip up second courses like sesame-crusted tuna and plump, perfectly-seared scallops with rich and savoury notes from crispy pork belly.
Bring someone who’s willing to share with you because deciding between the braised beef short rib, the roasted duck or ricotta raviolo with porcini cream for your main is going to be the hardest part of your weekend.
Although, the 850 VQA wines in the cellar pose a whole new challenge. Since you’re staying over at the hotel anyways, I say opt for the wine pairings with your meal. Expertly selected by the restaurant’s sommelier Bill Mochoruk, who gives a little speech about each one, the pairings range from local wine to sake. A meal with wine pairings at Treadwell is a full taste of Niagara’s bounty with each glass accentuating the flavours in its partner dish in perfect harmony.
124 on Queen: What else
I would go back to 124 on Queen just for The Spa at Q alone — as do many day visitors. The brand-new space is 12,000 square feet of pure bliss. Unwind in the co-ed relaxation lounge where you can take lunch (sent over from Treadwell) and a glass of bubbly.
The menu of massages includes the use of essential oils and rose quartz for a full body and soul healing experience. There are facials, body treatments and a mani-pedi room, too. Set in the Himalayan salt room, the guided meditation sound bath is a transformative and uplifting sensory journey.
With a warm pool, cold pool, sauna, sensory shower, a eucalyptus steam room and Canada’s only snow room (yes, it really snows inside), the hydrotherapy circuit is a wellness wonderland that I could never get bored of. Oh, and did I mention you can bring your wine with you? Relaxation mode: well and truly activated.
Rooms from $380 per night.
124 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake; 124queen.com
